SBCC pushes on gas late, beats Hancock 6-1

Sonja Crawford snapped a 1-1 tie with an RBI single in the sixth inning on Tuesday and Kellee Venturi added a three-run triple that propelled SBCC past Hancock 6-1 in a WSC softball game at Pershing Park.

Bryanna Monelo and Gabby Garza combined on a four-hitter for the Vaqueros (13-21, 9-11), who’ve won three straight and five of their last six. Monelo worked the first four innings, holding the Bulldogs (14-26, 8-13) to one unearned run on two hits.

SBCC had just one hit in the first five innings with Amanda Sharp’s RBI double tying the game at 1-1 in the second.

“I was a little frustrated, considering that we prepared for them (on Monday) with a little soft toss and it took way too long for our kids to adjust,” said coach Paula Congleton. “But then we scored five runs in the fifth and that kind of set aside the frustration.

“We’ve been playing well lately. We’re 9-11 in conference and that’s a good turnaround for us.”

With the score tied at 1, the Vaqueros loaded the bases with one out in the sixth on two hit batters and an infield hit by Brianne Bagwell. Crawford’s single to left drove in Sierra Van Olphen with the go-ahead run. After a forceout at home, Venturi hit a ball to right-center that got by the center fielder and rolled to the fence, scoring Becky Abbott, Crawford and Bianca Alvarez. It was the only at-bat for Venturi, who entered the game in the top of the sixth at first base. Venturi capped the five-run outburst by scoring on an infield error.

SBCC travels to Cuesta for a doubleheader on Thursday before playing its final home games Tuesday in a doubleheader against Ventura.

SBCC 6, HANCOCK 1

Hancock ………. 100 000 0 — 1  4  1

SBCC …………… 010 005 x — 6  4  1

 Garcia and Gonzalez; Monelo, Garza (5) and Crawford. W–Garza (5-12). L–Garcia.

 2B–H: Washburn, Corral. SB: Sharp. 3B–SB: Venturi.

 Records–H 14-26, 8-13. SB 13-21, 9-11.